Foundation level · Year 4 · free
awful
adjective · Say it: OR-ful
What it means
Foundationvery bad or unpleasant
The weather was awful on sports day, so we stayed inside the hall.
Similar and opposite words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- appalling
- dreadful
- horrible
- terrible
Antonyms (opposite meaning)
- excellent
- lovely
- wonderful
More examples
- That medicine tasted awful, but it helped my sore throat get better.
Where the word comes from
From Old English words meaning full of awe or fear.
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One question about “awful”, the way 11+ papers ask it (Foundation level).